Thousands of Adventist Ministers CALLED to Texas

The four-day CALLED NAD Ministerial Convention includes presentations, workshops, and “Shark Tank.”

By NAD communication staff

Jose Cortez, Jr., Associate Ministerial Director of the North American Division, talks to the winners, including the Columbia Union's Pastor John Boston, of the Shark Tank event at the NAD CALLED Ministerial Convention. Photo by Dan Weber/NAD Communication

Downtown Austin, Texas, has been transformed into a giant ministerial convention as more than 5,500 pastors, spouses, and children attend the North American Division’s first ministerial conference in decades.

The CALLED NAD Ministerial Convention, held from June 28 to July 1, aims to empower, educate, and revitalize the diverse group of ministers who serve the North American church.

The event provides keynote presentations, workshops, and worship opportunities that focus on four tracks: pastors, ministerial spouses, youth, and children. The convention kicked off on Sunday evening with general session meetings focused on the four tracks.

The “pastors” event featured presentations from Wintley Phipps, Dirk Duerkson, Wesly Knight, and a closing charge from NAD president Daniel R. Jackson, who urged the ministers to consider “Who called you and what for?” A prayer of dedication was offered by General Conference president Ted N.C. Wilson, who praised the presenters for focusing their messages on the need to follow Jesus Christ’s model of evangelism.

The “ministerial spouses” general session featured presentations by J. Nicole Brise (titled “Called to Belong”), Mark O’Fill (“Follow”), and Adrienne Townsend (“Eternal Glory”).

Read related story “5,500 Pastors and Their Families Descend on Austin”

Late evening events were then held where attendees could watch Seventh-day Adventist-produced films or take part in a “Shark Tank:” competition where pastors were given the opportunity to compete for prizes to further their evangelistic projects. Over the four days of the event, more than $120,000 will be given for evangelistic programs at the local church level.

The CALLED Ministerial Convention was planned and organized by the North American Division ministerial department under the guidance of ministerial director Ivan Williams and his associates. They spent the past 18 months choosing speakers, planning events, and developing resources that will provide spiritual refreshment, energy, and encouragement to the ministers, spouses and children attending the convention.

At the conclusion of the event on July 1, many of the ministers and their families will board buses for the 80-mile (130-kilometer) trip to San Antonio, Texas, to attend the 60th General Conference session, the Adventist Church’s business session held every five years.

Feature photo: Daniel R. Jackson, President of the North American Division addresses the more than 2500 pastors attending the NAD CALLED Convention. His presentation was part of the opening session of the event sponsored by the North American Division and held in Austin, Texas June 28 - July 1, 2015.